I got an email this weekend from the authors of a new book which aims to demystify social enterprise and help people to develop their own definitions of what a social enterprise is.
Is it me or have we inadvertently created an industry that surrounds social enterprise that justifies its existence through perpetuating the notion that there is ‘confusion about social enterprise’.
Does that confusion really exist....and does it really matter if it does. Let’s be honest, how many people on the street know the difference between a PLC, a LTD company, or a Cooperative?
Surely what matters is that people understand the objectives of any company and its products or services...
I think there is a danger that in creating an industry around demystifying Social Enterprise, we ironically make it more complex!!
If I was writing a book about social enterprise and what it means....it would be a quick read, and probably a picture book!
Line 1 – Social Enterprises have positive social and/or environmental objectives
Line 2 – Social Enterprises reinvest their profits so they can do more good
Line 3 – Social Enterprises aim to be self-financing, not reliant on the state or grant funding.
Page 2 – Nice pretty pictures of Social Enterprises doing what they do....helping disadvantaged groups, protecting the environment, making great products.
KISS (Keep it simple, Stupid!)
Jon Rolls
Chief Executive
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